We never lost power. Ron worked the Cub Cadet, I shoveled and changed sheets. Grilled steak, garlic bread and brussel sprouts for lunch. We got TWO papers today – don’t know how the delivery people did it!

“Obama routinely speaks of his critics as if their motives couldn’t possibly be rational or decent. When Republicans balked at his proposal to allow 10,000 Syrian refugees to enter the United States (a proposal I favor), Obama jeered. “Apparently they’re scared of widows and orphans,” he said. “That doesn’t sound very tough to me.”

“When GOP lawmakers resisted raising the debt limit, Obama tweeted: “Are they really willing to hurt people just to score political points?” Efforts to repeal Obamacare he attributed to cruelty — the “one unifying principle” for Republicans, the president told reporters, is “making sure that 30 million people don’t have health care.”

“With Obama, there seems to be no possibility of honorable disagreement. Oppose something he wants, and you are a bought-and-paid-for stooge, or a denier of science, or a peddler of fiction, or a scoundrel who puts party ahead of country. He isn’t the only one who talks this way, not by a long shot. But he is our only president, and how he expresses himself matters. When presidential rhetoric is mean and contemptuous, the whole public square is befouled.”

Jeff Jacoby, boston.com Obama regrets polarized rancor. He should. January 24, 2016

How consistent with my experience with online supporters of Bernie Sanders. I wonder if Jeff Jacoby is correct in pointing the finger at Obama for what is actually an American tradition of coarse disrespect for political opponents.

Ron and I felt well enough to do errands this morning: picked up our paychecks, did the transfer station run for us and for Edgewater, bank, grocery shopping. I opted for one of the self-checkout lines and double-scanned three items, so went back to pick up the extra items we paid for. The service desk person was extremely helpful.

Ron decided he wanted donuts and got there and back before the roads slicked up.

Flurries had started around 10 as predicted. It’s a little after 1 now and is snowing furiously. Peter, Robert and James are working and I hope to heck they’ll be getting out soon.

Yesterday, predictions were for less than an inch; this morning, it’s back to 5-8 starting around 2 on Saturday, earlier flurries around 11 am.

I wound up the Christmas lights yesterday. Ron was feeling better and ventured forth; I have the cold now, so not going to the bakery today.

Paid bills, did laundry in case we lose power over the next day or so. Gotten a lot done on the new version of MRS.

Ron set up the new snowblower and siphoned gas from the lawn mower.

Got yesterday and today off, used some of the hours to batten down in advance of the storm expected this weekend.

Finally took down the hammocks and the patio umbrella as well as the extension cords for the holiday lights.

Also scraped off the indoor/outdoor carpeting that Ron had taped to the deck; it had frozen solid.

Ron’s been sick since last Sunday. He’s been a good patient, though.

We’re told there’s to be a big storm this Saturday.

Peter starts his new job in less than two weeks!

James started driver’s ed last night. He worked very hard to raise the funds to cover the outrageous cost.

I’m giving Alpha a ride home from YAG this evening. Haven’t seen her for a while, looking forward to it.

Ron changed the water pitcher filter last night.

He is sick.

Finally put this to use.

Coffee grinder, wood cutting board, bagel slicer, pottery, magnetic knife holder. Could be a house in Woods Hole.